An international team of researchers has used the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to measure the temperature of the rocky exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b. The measurement is based on the planet’s thermal emission: heat energy given off in the form of infrared light detected by Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). The result indicates that the planet’s dayside has a temperature of about 500 kelvins (roughly 230°C), and suggests that it has no significant atmosphere.
Space News & Blog Articles
Tune into the SpaceZE News Network to stay updated on industry news from around the world.
Proba-3 complete: Formation-flying satellites fully integrated
The two spacecraft forming ESA’s Proba-3 mission for precise formation flying in orbit are now complete. All the instruments and sensors allowing them to manoeuvre to millimetre scale precision relative to one another have been integrated aboard, and the pair are fully wrapped in multi-layer insulation – ready to be tested in simulated space conditions.
'All Systems Are Go' Snoopy stage show debuts at NASA visitor complex
Snoopy and NASA's plans for exploring the moon received a "go" to launch as "All Systems Are Go," a new stage show featuring life-size puppets, debuted at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Council approves senior management changes
At its 315th session on 22 and 23 March 2023, the ESA Council approved a series of nominations and extensions of contracts for ESA directors:
Anycubic Photon Mono X2 review
The Anycubic Photon Mono X2 improves upon the original in almost every way.
'The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek' docuseries lands on home video
Mill Creek Entertainment is releasing "The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek" on DVD on April 25.
Satellites and Space Debris Are Polluting Our Night Skies
Astronomers are sounding the alarm about low-Earth orbit satellites and space debris as significant contributors to light pollution that will affect even the remotest earthbound stargazer.
We've spotted 56% off these Hexeum night vision binoculars
That discount means you save nearly $170 on a product that we rate as one of the best night vision binoculars on the market.
Black holes may be swallowing invisible matter that slows the movement of stars
Scientists watched as two stars slowed in their orbits around black holes, concluding it was the result of "drag" generated by dark matter.
Why is Mercury so weird? Blame the giant outer planets.
Mercury is so strange that astronomers have not been able to explain its properties with simulations of the solar system's formation. But now, researchers have found an important clue.
Indian launch gives OneWeb enough satellites for global internet service
India’s LVM3, or GSLV Mk.3, rocket lifts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center with 36 OneWeb satellites. Credit: ISRO
The successful launch of 36 more OneWeb satellites aboard India’s most powerful rocket Saturday brought the total number of OneWeb spacecraft in orbit to 618, enough for the London-based company to start global broadband service later this year.
Asteroid Ryugu Contains Niacin (aka Vitamin B3)
In December 2020, JAXA’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft delivered a pristine sample of otherworldly dust and rock from asteroid Ryugu to Earth. Scientists have since had the opportunity to study the sample, and announced last week that the asteroid contains organic molecules important for life. In particular, they discovered Niacin, otherwise known as vitamin B3, and Uracil, one of the four core components of ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Deadly cyclone 'Freddy' may be the longest-lived and most energetic storm ever recorded
Cyclone Freddy, which is finally dissipating after battering Southeast Africa, has crossed the entire Indian Ocean and made landfall three separate times.
What equipment do you need to see and photograph the planets
How to achieve the very best views and images of the neighboring worlds in our solar system.
The universe might be shaped like a doughnut, not like a pancake, new research suggests
The universe may be flat, but could still be shaped like a doughnut, weird patterns in leftover light from the Big Bang suggest.
CNES astronaut Jean-Jacques Favier, 1st French scientist to fly in space, dies at 73
Jean-Jacques Favier, who in 1996 became the sixth astronaut and first scientist from France to launch into space, has died at the age of 73. Favier flew as an STS-78 payload specialist.
NASA selects solar physicist Nicola Fox as its new science chief
NASA has announced that Heliophysics Division leader Nicola Fox will be the agency's new head of science, overseeing more than 100 missions.
Astronauts Could Mix and Match Parts to Make the Perfect Robot for Any Job
Building with Legos is a favored pastime for many small children and adults. We’ve even covered some more space-oriented Lego sets here at UT. But, as the Lego movie points out, they constitute “a highly sophisticated interlocking brick system.” So why not take the idea underpinning Legos – that you can make anything you want out of a set of generic pieces and apply it to a much more serious scientific topic…like robots.
Live coverage: India’s LVM3 rocket lifts off with 36 more OneWeb satellites
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of India’s LVM3 rocket with 36 OneWeb internet satellites. Text updates will appear automatically below. Follow us on Twitter.
Don’t Take Batteries to the Moon or Mars, 3D Print Them When you Get There
When the Artemis astronauts and future explorers go to the Moon and Mars, they’ll need power. Lots of it. Of course, they’ll use solar panels to generate the juice they need for habitats, experiments, rovers, and so on. But, they’ll need batteries for power storage. Those things weigh a lot and cost a fortune to send up from Earth. So, why not simply 3D print their own when they get there?
